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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the special occasion on Deven's second visit to Nur's home in Chapter 5?

2. What color is the shirt Deven wears on the bus ride from Mirpore to Delhi to meet Nur?

3. Why does Deven tell Murad he has already eaten lunch when Murad suggests they get lunch in Chapter 2?

4. What does the old woman who enters Nur's room while he and Imtiaz are fighting say to Imtiaz?

5. What subject does Deven teach at the university?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Deven surprised at the company Nur keeps when he first meets him?

2. What does Murad suggest Deven do in order to successfully get an interview with Nur, while continuing his college work as well?

3. What excuse does Deven give to Nur for why he teaches Hindi rather than work in Urdu?

4. What scene does Deven encounter when he follows Nur and the sounds of screaming during his first visit in Chapter 3?

5. Why is Deven unable to ask Nur for an interview during his first visit?

6. Why does Deven begin to question agreeing to interview Nur in Chapter 2 while he rides the bus to Delhi?

7. What is Chandni Chowk like? What is Deven surprised Nur lives there?

8. How does Deven feel about Nur's letter asking him to be his secretary? Describe Murad and Deven's discussion regarding this matter in Chapter 5.

9. What "bad omens" does Deven see as he rides to Delhi and upon first arriving?

10. What does Deven worry may have been on the papers he used to clean Nur's vomit at the end of Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay comparing and contrasting Deven and Siddiqui in In Custody. What is their background? How do they know each other? How do they interact? In what ways are they similar or different? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing Desai's language style and word choice in In Custody. What are some words that stand out to you and why? What words are repeated? What words are most impactful? Explain your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay examining the Urdu language as a symbol in In Custody. In what scenes is Urdu discussed? What is the context? How does the dying Urdu language develop the narrative?

(see the answer keys)

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